Recent Posts

2011 Sancerre Cuvee A’Dair

March 17, 2013September 9, 2016

I love Sancerre. In case you are unfamiliar, it's a French Sauvignon Blanc. Basically, in the old world wine countries (France, Spain, and Italy in particular) wine is named not after the grape, but the actual location where the grape is grown, while in new world wine countries (US, Argentina,... Read More

Mains Recipe

Chicken Pot Pie

March 17, 2013September 1, 2016 chicken, Mains, puff pastry

As a kid, I loved frozen pot pies. Individually frozen in aluminum tins, they were an easy dinner, just throw in the oven and in an hour you've got a golden crust and salty, chickeny goodness inside. As a grown up, when I want a chicken pot pie, I am... Read More

Corvina Italy Red Blends/Other Tasting Wine

2007 Allegrini La Grola

March 16, 2013September 9, 2016

Italy is a fascinating country when it comes to wine. There are so many different grapes, styles and regions to keep track of that it can be quite intimidating. Tonight's wine, the 2007 Allegrini La Grola is a perfect example. Made from primarily the Corvina grape, this wine is classified... Read More

Tasting USA Wine

Jarvis Wine Seminar

March 14, 2013September 25, 2016

The seven wines tasted at tonight's Jarvis Wine Seminar Tonight, I had the pleasure of attending a wine seminar for Jarvis wines. If you haven't heard of Jarvis before, it is a small production winery in Napa Valley, CA. We had seven wines in total, two whites and five... Read More

Tasting USA Wine Zinfandel

2009 Ridge Zinfandel Ponzo Vineyard

March 12, 2013September 9, 2016

I have to admit, I'm not a big Zinfandel drinker. Many carry a jammy cooked quality along with big alcohol, rough stuff that's not exactly to my taste. Then there is Ridge, a producer out of California that specializes in single vineyard wines, that just seems to always get it... Read More

Breakfast Recipe

Sunday Morning Pancakes for Two

March 10, 2013September 1, 2016 blueberries, breakfast, pancakes

I grew up using pancake mix and for years never even contemplated making my own. Somehow I thought homemade pancakes would require too much thinking first thing in the morning. Boy was I wrong. And other than yeast pancakes (which require overnight resting and are a different animal altogether) these... Read More

✷ Recipe Sweets Treats

The Canelé Recipe and Guide

March 9, 2013September 5, 2017 caneles, desserts, pastry, sweets

Canelé de Bordeaux (a.k.a cannelé bordelais) are perhaps my favorite sweet treat. A shiny, crispy outside holds within a gorgeous, rum-scented, custardy interior that is at once decadent, yet sophisticated. Making canelés doesn't have to be complicated. When you begin, I highly suggest you use a mini silicon mold, forget about... Read More

How To Veggies and Salads

Making Salad Sing…

March 9, 2013September 1, 2016 croutons, dressing, salad

How to make salad dressing and croutons at homeI'm not a particular health nut, but boy do I love a good salad. I don't know why people don't make them more. Most people think of salad as something they either order at a restaurant, or make at home by buying... Read More

✷ Recipe Soups and Stews

Supper Tonight – Creamy Lentil Soup

March 6, 2013September 1, 2016 lentils, Mains, soup

Most days, I like to plan what I'm making for dinner. I like dreaming about it during the day. I don't even mind making a quick stop to the grocery store on my way home to pick up a couple of ingredients. That doesn't happen every day and in certainly... Read More

✷ Recipe

Beef Carbonnade (Belgian Beef and Beer Stew)

March 4, 2013January 18, 2017 beef, beer, Mains, noodles, stews

The cold just keeps coming in Orlando, so I knew I wanted a hearty, comforting meal. I was craving braised beef. The long and low cooking yields succulent and tender meat that melts in your mouth. What's amazing about this dish is that while every other braise I do includes... Read More